Carey

IIRC, he was criticized no so much based on his treatment toward his son, but for the hypocrisy of that. Mainly it goes back to him putting a hand on a female, which is not cool. It was several years before the Ray Rice and Greg Hardy stuff, but some people still hold a grudge over that. I personally will feel it was not a good thing for him to do going forward, but I totally had no problem with him taking his son's participation trophy. On a related note, the man can still play the game at a respective level, and he's still a big deal

You know, I did defend Cam for his behavior. I disagreed with it, but I wasn't bitter since he lost the biggest game in sports. Now the more he "stays himself" the more I'm come to accept my own opinion that Newton may have dethroned Russell Wilson in terms of the "worst Super Bowl play ever" after 50 years of the game. Rather difficult to defend throwing at the one-yard line with the best back in the game, but I'd take trying to do something over standing there when the ball is loose in a drive that could win you the Super Bowl. In terms of Cam's comments, it goes back to the period when he should be himself. The boasting attitude when he's victorious is who he is, and crying over a loss is who he is. I think he's gotten better in terms of his behavior as it relates to negative stuff. There wasn't much of a sample size in a one-loss year, but Newton didn't seem too bitter losing a shot at 16-0 (which obviously would have been moot anyway with the loss to Denver). At the end of the day, if he wants to lessen the criticism, he has to be better. While it's his right to be upset and pissed at losing, keep it classy. I think people like Serena Williams and LeBron James have improved, and I think Cam will. As for Manziel, I guess it's fair game for the Media to run this to the ground now that the season and Super Bowl are done

Hopefully they both walk away, period. Not a fan of either, but if they're willing to change in a positive way, then that's great. Big if, though

Gotta agree. Still saddened that it led to immediate points off of turnovers, but even that play could have been better. Maybe not since Denver is really good. The thing is I'm not blaming the refs for the defensive touchdown. Probably easier said than done, but what if Cam didn't lose the ball. He just takes the sack. Or a safety to lessen the damage. Hats off to Carolina still for still being in it toward the end. Give Newton time and if he's in position down six he goes down the field for the winning TD instead of giving up at the end. He's no Brady, but thought he had that shot to do so. No way he would have been his dominating self given the beatings he took but you never know. Didn't think Tom would overcome major deficits against Baltimore AND Seattle in the same postseason, and Tom isn't as mobile. Still great year for Carolina, and IMO they're lucky they didn't face New England, speaking of which. In New England, I mean a healthy version or the one that mirrored 2014; this game would have been over before half the Super Bowl ads. The commentary, well most of it was what is was. While I respect Deion's opinion, as mentioned, I can't completely agree with saying Manning & Brady would have behaved better. To be fair, they both were criticized (as was Belichick) when they had similar exits. I do remember Faulk being upset back when he lost. Not so much for his usual excuse, but it hurt more since he was just there two years prior with a win and so close to another.

That's the thing. What sucks about Carolina losing is that they might never make it back. I often think of Dan Marino and Miami when assuming that the Panthers can afford to take the loss since they're good enough to return. A more brutal comparison is Jim Kelly and Buffalo. IMO, the Panthers are very good and they'll get people back that were gone for the year (like the top WR). The thing is Atlanta is probably going to be much better and stay that way throughout. Tampa is coming along; maybe give them a year or two. Arizona probably will take care of unfinished business, and then Seattle could also avenge this past year. Then there's Green Bay; the NFC is pretty deep, has been for a long time. You see so many different teams over the years, while in the AFC it's Manning or Brady all the time. I have no problems with Cam's behavior post-game. I think he should have been a better sport, but I'm giving him a pass based on the fact that the Media hates him anyway, so there's no need to be a better individual, especially after a rather painful loss

No worries with the Halftime show, and I personally don't blame them for getting Beyonce (and Bruno) to "help" Coldplay. Must be an unwritten rule to have Katy be there for two consecutive years. At the end of the day, I probably won't remember the show

As mentioned, looks like it's back to the 0-16 days for the franchise. In other words, it's not looking good, but probably not another winless year like in 2008 (IMO, that team should never have gone winless). Not that I'm totally for it, but I wouldn't mind if Calvin pulled a Favre to get out of that team and go elsewhere. But he has so much potential and really needs a new scene. Just that it's not Johnson's call

I have to agree, DrSpaceman, as it relates to a suspension vs a fine. For one, as mentioned, someone could steal $5 Million from Brady and he wouldn't even notice it was missing. Well, chances are no one's stealing from Tom. Plus there's a maximum amount of money someone can get fined for (typically the highest ranking people would have a max of a million or half a million). Brings me back to what Rodney Harrison said a long time ago, I believe. He was getting fined left and right, and the discipline didn't really hit him until a suspension was served. Money comes & goes, but not being available to help your team win is a big deal. It will be significant (or not) without Tom Brady available. You have to send a message that the suspects or those in the wrong will get. That way, they won't do what they've been doing anymore. Well, they shouldn't. Of course, a punishment has to be within reason, and not so that it'll hurt to the point where a lesson is learned

I think any CBA can't take presedence over common law, but one might agree that the CBA is common law. In other words, if the US and/or government acknowledges it, then any rule or punishment for violation of a rule within the CBA is fair game. I agree I'd go to court if I was a victim here, though I'd also try my best not to put myself in a situation that'll have me get into trouble. That, and cooperate sans a violation of my privacy

Very true, xaxat. While it's "tradition" to beam someone for whatever reason, the staff hardly thinks of those things. I would hate for (fatal) tragedy to be what it'll take for people to stop what that nonsense

Probably not a "ha-ha" joke, but a very good joke indeed (and IMO). Actually deserved a respective laugh. Although some in the Pats community might not have thought the same, I've heard of jokes at the expense of some of my favorite teams, and had to laugh. It is what it is

I haven't really heard anything from the cast/people in attendance defend him, since he actually had more to say while they were going to commercial. But I guess, as mentioned, he's moved on from those characters. Which is just an excuse since several others that have moved on from their material brought it back. Some of the stuff he did on the show was also done in his stand-ups (including the big ones from 1983 & 1987). That being said, his feud with Spade is over. That was 15-20 years ago (IMO, both sides were at fault there). Glad that David & Eddie moved on from such a meaningless thing (helped that Chris Rock is pretty close to both of them). Total agreement about SNL making Eddie a big deal as much as he saved it, BTW. Rob was definitely there, but like Al Franken and several others, nothing done from either person. IMO, it wasn't a big deal; in the 25th anniversary show, a lot of former castmembers (many whom couldn't make it this year) just attended and weren't "heard from" at all. I guess throughout the rest of the week I'll learn that this start and that star attended (that I thought was absent).

Not sure if Betty will live forever, but people 5-10 years younger died (as it was their time), while she continues to stay active and win another emmy. Just one of a handful of people that are fortunate enough to do what they do at their age. IMO, if she shuts it down, that might be what gets her. Therefore, as mentioned, I thought her appearance(s) were great based on expectations. Still feel bad for Chevy, but with John, Eddie, maybe even Walken, I guess being there was fair enough. I'll still have more respect than those that chose not to come (barring valid reasons). I guess SNL is one of many things in life where what helped make you big or "happy" isn't as exciting. No disrespect, but all good things must come to an end. Fortunately people like Martin, Dana, and Mike made the best out of the show (and they've departed as castmembers for 2 decades or more as well) Probably not that upset about the lack of material from the Phil era, as well as the 90s. There's always the 25th Special, but the live sketches could have been cut just a little, while more focus was made for each era. Not so much the past decade since that's fairly recent

Sucks that JLD didn't make it (though still glad she ended up hosting a couple of times within the past 10 years). Though with the limited time they might not have gotten to her, Larry, and Jerry. Speaking of time, I guess I'll hold (final) judgement on Eddie's segment. I knew it wasn't going to be perfect; I didn't think it was bad, but I wish it could have been more. Sounds like everything he did was off-camera, which is fair enough. Anyway, it's official: Eddie has made one appearance on SNL with Lorne running things after appearing in every season that Lorne wasn't part of Loved the opening with Jimmy & Justin. Could be a coin-flip from that opening and the one from 1999. As mentioned, Chevy opening would have been typical, but like many others, he probably felt best to do very little. From Celebrity Jeopardy to the Film segment, overall it was a great show. Tough to be "perfect" but not a disaster.

Sarah was there. Like many, she just didn't do anything

Ha! That would be something. But Still Crazy After All These Years is perfect. Nice way to end the show

To be fair, Tracy almost died. And SNL typically doesn't do that for people that have a valid reason for missing. I don't think they did anything for Dana Carvey in 1999, but IMO, they probably tried to avoid a Dana Carvey "tribute" overshadowing Phil Hartman given the timing.

If that's all that Eddie Murphy does, after waiting for his return for like 3 decades, I'll take it. I don't think there was any disrespect there. Sounds like it wasn't going to be a 10-minute segment at all. Plus it looks like the people in the studio audience got to see more of what Eddie had to say. Can't blame the show, especially if a joke might get NBC fined or something. We'll see if Murphy even wanted to do as much as a lot of other people

They also left out Christopher Guest. I can't defend Cecily, but Mr. Guest really did it only 11 times.

(Super) Colon Blow. Yes, a great SNL commercial (to shed a tear over)

Loving how the best 90s & best 2000s segment came from the same season. SNL 25 was pretty damn awesome, IMO

I might have to rewind in case I missed Dennis and Tracy (or anyone), but Tracy has a reason to miss, while Dennis just has an excuse

Nice to see Eddie, but yeah, he pretty much won't be overtaking the show tonight (unless he actually does). He'd have a chance if his 80s version (in and out of SNL) surfaced in full force. Murphy with Norm, Will, and Darrell for a Celebrity Jeopardy segment (as Cosby, Burt, Alex & Sean) would be pure gold, IMO.

Didn't really think of or forget about Tracy Morgan. All the best for the guy, who would have been an early lock had it not been for the near tragedy

Eddie being there is too good (for me) that until February 16th, it'll likely be a "believe it when I see it" case. I will forever wonder how great it would have been if he had surfaced during that great run from 1986-1995 (save for Season 20). Anyway, I agree that Dennis & Victoria won't have a reason to miss (really no one will have an excuse unless it's an actual legit one). IMO, they'll probably show up but primarily to pay tribute to Jan. Just a guess; they were last there in 1999 to remember Phil, along with Jon, Nora, Mike, & Kevin (Dana couldn't make it due to his recovery from a legitimate "medical situation" IIRC). Though in 1999, it was less than a decade removed from their run, and they had a role in the 25th Anniversary. However, I think they'll be there, but I won't be too surprised if they didn't show up